Device for preventing collisions between guns



March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ETAL 2,633,060

. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIQNS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mount H H In men tors Laurence E. Tpham Phzilz'as Gz'rouard March 31, 1953 TOPHAM AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 E N 3. g g2 L S w IL 0 1 5 Parallel Q o 9' N 75 FR g, Inventors Q Laurence E YEP/1am Philias HGL r'ouar'd I, P7283 March 31, 1953 L. E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS v Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 G L 0 o fi Q "5: Inventors LaurenceETo oham uar'd March 31, 1953 L. E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 9 m 5; EXHAUST PRESSURE f QAE HP----H/GH PPEssL/PE U0 5E! lHP' lNTEfiMEDlATE HIGH PRESSURE LI'IPP-HURESPONSIVE PPEssUPES In ven tors Laurene E. 76 ham MarCh 1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors Laur-e'ntze E. Epham March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 In men iors Laurence E. Ybpham Philz'as H Girouara' March 31, 1953 L. E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Moumfy MounilT Fed Light wiches\ I mut Elevafion Sun a Priority Relay Switches Azimuth H Elevation Power 7611' lure Solenoids \jzoppiny Relay Switches In men tors Laurence 5.7bpham March 31, '1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,533,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 Mount 11 Mount II Light Swiiches i o 0 7 b o muth, Switches 0 F 7 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 PP ioriiy Relay Switches Azi mu 2577 H Elevation Power Failure JoZenoids L Sfoppz'ng FeZay Switches In we n to rs Laurence E. To ham March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 [[oumf 1V MUHZLH light Swifches evation Priority Relay Swizches Azimuth Elevation Rwer Failure Solenoids Sic taping Relay Switches I n. van to rs Laurence E. Top/1am hz'lias l'l. Gz'r'ouard March 31, 1953 L. E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet l0 yfl mum: 117 Mum/1T Red Light Switches E Z ev ation Switch Pr'ior' z'iy Relay Suzi i'ch es Azimuth 9 .E'Zevatz'yn Power F u e SoZen aids Szopp iny .Felay Switches In ventars LaurenceE. Top/2am Ph z'lz as H. Gz'r'ouard March 31, 1953 L. E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,050

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIQNS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet ll Red light Switch mi:

Azimuth 7 E Z ev aiz'on .PowePFcZtZetre Solenoids in Van tors Laurence E. Top/2am March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,050

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 T1910? MbumfE [Mount 11 Red .Zzyhi Sun'fches Signal .Zz'g

Prz'orizy Relay Switches A// Solenoids Stopping Relay Switches In we 12 f0 rs Laurence E7'bp/zam Philias HGirouar'a March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ET AL 2,633,050

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet l5 T1 1917 Moumf 117 Mount 17 Red Light Jwiz s O O evatzon Swzzches Priority Relay ilches Azimuth 9- Elevation H Ewe?- failure Solenoids St ing Relay Switches Ina/en i0 r8 Laurence E. Ybpham Philz'as H Gz'r'ouar'd March 31, 1953 E. TOPHAM ETAL 2,633,060

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN GUNS Filed March 25, 1946 14 Sheets-Sheet l4 "EXHAUST PRESSU/PL .------H/6H PRESSURE E-E------INTERMED/AT HIGH PRESSURE IE!- -'--0W PRESJURE Invent-0748 4 Tell CONTROL PRESSURE u r -0w 1440/5 co/vr/Poz PRESSURE Laurence E. Zbpham m----------/?s/ o/vs/v PRESSURE; Philias firm-Pollard CE! EzE----------s4u-a PRESSURE W Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- DEVICE FOR PREVENTING GOLLISIQNS BETWEEN GUNS lerset Application March 25, 1946; Serial No. 6.57;020

14% Claims. 1.

This; invention; relates. to ordnance and more particularly to mechanism. for preventing collisions between gunsof: adjacent mount positioned close... together aboard battleships.

ln recentbattleshipconstruction it has become necessary to: position mounts: so close together that" there is serious interference between the guns of adjacent mounts, collisions between said guns becoming: air-problem in view of the fact that more directors aroused than previously because ofthegreatiyincreasing number of aerial targets.

With the vertical" axes of rotation of adjacent mountaarrangerr close together because of limited spaceavailable, there are certain combinations in elevation and azimuth for the guns of each mount where'interference with the guns of an adjacentmount is possible, such combinations being referredto as the zoneof interference for that particular mount. It will be apparent that the -sizes andshapes of such zones Vary in accordance with such factors, for example; as the distance between the vertical axes of adjacent mounts; the lengths of the barrels or tubes of the mounts, and the relative levels of said mounts.

With the foregoing considerations in view, it is an object of'the present invention to provide a control device for effectively preventing collisions between guns of adjacent mounts having a common zoneof possible interference and also to reduce to a minimum the likelihood of such collisions when theguns are pennitted, at the risk of the captains of the mounts, to enter said common interference zone; for; example, in the pursuit of" a target.

With the above object in view and in accordance with a feature of" thepresent invention, there is provided in a battery comprising two guns: mounted for independent movement in azimuth-andel'evation and having a common zone of bodily interference; means for causing either of said guns to enter and move about uninterrupte'dlyin-said zone, provided" the other gun is not in said zone, and automatic means for stopping either of. said guns near the border of said zone whenever the other gun is: in the zone.

The sizes: and shapes of the actual zones of interference for two adjacent mounts isreadily determined by the use of a small scale model of the; mounts, said aetual zones thereafter being bounded by meridians: and parallels to produce zones having-regular shapes, as will appear later, inorderto simplifysaid control device. Thegenoral. scheme is to prevent interference between the: guns: oi? adjacent mounts by affording no restraintto the gunsof the-mount first" to enter its; zone. of: possible interference. and: secnmii. to

stop the; guns oftheadiaccnt-mcunt iustbeiore one of said guns reaches the boundary of: the mterferencezone for thatmount, said. guns; unless,- operated: as will; be hereinafter: explained, being caused to remain inactive until sucirtime as the guns-of; the firstmount emergafiomthe intentsrence. zona.

Theaguns. of: said adjacent mounts are. stopped just. before they reach: their interference zones by breaking: upon; actuating; an. electromagnetic switch, normally closed; circuits or: azimuth: and elevation power failure: solenoids now: commonly de-energizedto stop said: guns. by opening stop switches which; are manually operated by" the mount; captains. In. the illustrative control? device there is: provided automatic meansfor energizing the coil'ofsaid electromagnetic switches a gun of a second mount ofa pair of adjacent mounts having a. common. zone ofpOssibIeint'erference: attempts: tov enter said zone, with the result that the normal currents of the azimuth and elevation power solenoids are broken, causing high-pressure oil in hydraulic gun operating drives for the mount. to: be dumped; and tilting plates oisaid'drives-to be centered; thus stopping the guns: of the mount.

Because of the changeable inertia of the mounts and theirguns, the stopping of the: guns has its beginning a substantial distance'outside the interference zone; the distance increasingin accordance with the' speed" of the guns and their associated mounts in azimuth and the speed of the guns in elevationin their mounts. The-azimuth and elevation limit stop screws of 'thehydraulic gun operating driveforthe mounts are utilized for-stopping the guns, sincesuch screws rotate in timed relation with the-guns'in azimuth and" elevation, respectively, and advance'proporti'onatel'yto the speed in azimuth and-elevation of saidguns.

The illustrative control device also comprises means for enabling the. captain of" the second mount stopped at the-edge of said" interference zone tocause, at his discretion, theguns of-"said secondmountto ententhei-nterference zonewhen, forexampl'e, thereis no imminent danger ofcollie si'on and saidgu-ns are being 'trainedupon a target. Such action is effected by manually pressing a release: or restart switch in" said second mount, causing the powerfailuresolenoids of that-mount again to be energized s0 long asthe-switchremains pressed, with the resultthat the hydraulic drives forthe guns ofthea mountare again rendered operative: Each of themounts, in accordance with another feature of the invention, is provided with amber colored signals which are lit only when the guns of the mount are powered and also with red colored signals which are lit only when the guns of both of the mounts are in the interference zone. By the provision of the above signals, which are automatically operated at the proper times as will be hereinafter explained, the captain of each of the mounts is informed whenever the guns of his mount and those of an adjacent mount are powered and are in the common interference zone, and thus proceeds with the proper caution under suc conditions. 2

Various other features of the invention will be understood and appreciated from the following description read in connection with the ac-v companying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention and in which Fig. 1 is an outboard view of three turrets or mounts simulating three of a battery of five turrets or mounts mounted upon the port side of a battleship;

Fig. 2 is a view showing on a sphere a zon -of interference for the guns of mount II with theguns of mount IV;

Fig. 3 is a view showing, in the form of azimuth equidistant projections centered at the north poles of spheres, the zones of interference for :the guns of the five mounts of the battleship; 'f' Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing mechanism for rotating the mounts together with 1 their guns in azimuth and for rotating the guns in elevation with relation to their mounts, together with mechanism for stopping the mounts or the' guns upon the mounts at the limits of their motion and mechanism for stopping the guns at any other time at the will of the captains of the mounts;

Fig. 4a shows means including a selector valve for determining the location from which a tilting plate actuating piston shown in Fig. 4 is controlled;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section showing portions of limit stop mechanism for the mount of turret azimuth drive, together with mechanism operatively connected to said drive for registering movement in azimuth of the mount and accordingly movement in azimuth of the guns of said mount;

'Fig. 6 is a section on line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section showing portions of a gun elevating drive corresponding to the mount azimuth drive shown in Fig. 5 and also showing portions of the mechanism for operatively connecting the limit stop mechanism with a ring gear of one of the mounts or with a segment gear of the guns incorporated in said mount;

Fig. 8 is a section on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view showing switch supporting and operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 shows in perspective the switch operatingelevation cam illustrated in Fig. 7; and

Figs. 11 to 17 are wiring diagrams showing the portion of the illustrative device effective in preventing interference between the guns of mounts II and IV, operating under different conditions.

--The present invention is illustrated as embodied in an interference control device for preventing collisions between the barrels or tubes (Fig. 1) of twin 5" guns 32 of adjacent turrets or mounts 34 arranged close together in a battery 36-on the port sideof a battleship (not shown).

Five mounts numbered II (Figs. 1 and 3), IV, VI, VIII (Fig. 3) and X are referred to, mount IV and VIII being positioned outboard of and below the mounts II, VI and X. Since the hereinafter described mechanism for preventing collisions between the guns 32 of the two forward mounts II and IV is substantially the same as that for preventing collisions between the guns of the other adjacent mounts, it will be necessary only to describe in detail the construction and operation of mounts II and IV.

As above stated, there are certain combinations in elevation and train or azimuth for guns 32 of each mount when collision with one or both of the guns of an adjacent mount is possible, all of such combinations being referred to as within the zone of possible interference for that particular mount. Because of the different trunnion levels of the guns 32 of the adjacent mounts, the shape and size of the zones of interference A and B (Figs. 3, 11 to 17) of the guns 32 of the upper mounts II and VI and of the lower mounts IV and VIII, respectively, shown, as will be hereinafter explained, in the form of azimuth equidistant projections centered at the north poles of spheres, are different, said zones of interference A of the guns 32 of the upper mounts II and VI being of considerable area and of substantially the same general shape, and the zones of interference B of the guns 32 of the lower mounts IV and VIII being of substantially the same area and shape and of different area and shape from the zones A. The single zone C (Fig. 3) of interference of the guns of mount X with the guns of mount VIII is somewhat similar to but more extended than zone A.

In order to avoid duplication in the description it will be necessary to refer only to the interference between the guns 32 of mounts II and IV and to describe mechanism by the use of which the crewmen or captains of these two mounts, by keeping the guns of their mounts out of the common zone of possible interference between the mounts when one or more of the guns of an adjacent mount are in said zone, can eliminate interference, as well as to de scribe mechanism by the use of which the captains of the two adjacent mounts can reduce to a minimum collisions between the guns of said mounts even though the guns of both mounts are in said common interference zone.

It will be appreciated that the axes 38 (Fig. 1) of the bores of the barrels 30 of the guns 32 of each mount is offset laterally from the vertical axis 40 of rotation of that mount. In determining the zones of interference between the guns 32 of the adjacent mounts, axes 42 (Fig. 1), which are arranged parallel to and midway between the axes 38 of the bores of the barrels 30 of the guns of the respective mounts and pass through the vertical axes 40 of rotation of the mounts, have been utilized. In the course of providing an embodiment of the invention, the size and shape of the zones A, B and C of possible interference between the guns 32 of the different adjacent mounts were determined by the use of a small model, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, of the mounts of a battleship equipped with said control device, the guns of the mounts of the model being swung into a great number of different marginal interfering positions.

For each marginal interference setting of the guns 32 of mount II with the guns of mount IV the positions of the axis 42 in azimuth and eleva:-. tion, which axis will hereinafter be referred to the central. axis, were: noted and: a1. line 4.4 (Fig. 2) on a sphere-r tew-asdevelopedl Aswill appeanlater; the. line 445, togetherWith,.a,.pertion of thee 1 74th meridian indicated by reference numeral ta; along which the central axis 42- may move in elevation when the mount Ir in its rear limitofmovementdn azimuth, together with an portion: of the -15th: parall'eli indicated; by reference numeral.- 51!, along: which. the central axis l-z may: move in. azimuth when. the guns are in their lewered limit: of movement-1 in elevation, Form asectioned spherical area-152i which may be referred 'to as the actual zone of interference ofthegunsa 2 i mount-IIwith the guns of mount When. the central axis 15-2; of: mount: II has azimutnfand elevation settings which bring" it within; the-*actuat interference area: 5.2; one: or more-guns ofithe mount 11' may besaid' to be in the-zonao'f possible interference for that mount withthe guns ot'mount: iv. The actual'zones of interterenceoftheguns B'Z 'of'the various mounts W V1 VIII'and 'XWith the guns of. adjacent mounts may be determined in a similarmanner by utilizing the central axis 42 0f the particular mount; the arrangement being such, that; when the central axis 4270f any mount has anazimuth and elevation reading carrying it. into it'szone, there is azpossibilityi of interference between one ormore g uns cfthatmoimti and the guns: of an adjacent: mount;

When thezi'nterference control. device: was later incorporated a battleship, the actual zones'of interference of the guns: of different mounts of the battleship were determined, for the purpose of checking the actual conditions; by: the swinging of the guns of said mounts. into: a plurality of diffierent marginal interfering positions, as above explained" in connection with the model of the mounts. The guns 32' of the various mounts are described as being arranged at 0 in azimutl' i and w elevation when their central axes 42 arepointed directly forward: and horicont-ally. 'I'hedegrees i-n-azimuth increase as the central axi's moves clockwise=as viewedfrom above (Fig. 3) thedegreesinpositive elevation increase mg as: the guns are raised from thehorizontal and tlie degrees in negative elevation, indicated byasminussign, increasing as the guns arezlovzered from the: horizontal.

Mounts It and asswell as mounts VI and areprovided with hydraulic stop mechanisrn, hereinatter described; for limiting clockwise swingingmovementof the mounts in azi- -muth, aswi'ewecl in F-ia. 35 when the. centralt axis d2 reaches the ctn and the 1 1th meridians, respectively; and for limiting counterclockwise move, mentofthe-mcunts: in azimuth when.the-..central axis has been swung counterclockwise; as. viewed from above, to the 174th --and:the 169th; meridians, respectively. All. of. the: illustrative mounts, as will be explained later, are provided witlrhydrauge lic stop: mechanism forlimiting negative? elevation of the guns, that: is, downward: movement on Figs land Z'and QutWard"movementon-Fig. when the central axis A2: of. the: guns: 3?; registers 1 '5' in 'elevation andithusintersects the parallel represented in. 2 by neference numeral 59;. Positive elevation of the guns 32, thaizis; upward movement on Figs. 1 and v 2 and; inward movement on Fig: 3; is-limiteol: when the central axis '42 of the mounts. has been raised? to. the 85th parallel; the horizontal setting of'the guns; as abovestated being: considered 0" in elevation.

The actual interference zone. 5% of. mount. II is somewhat irregular and. it. will; be understood 6 thatzthez actual interference zones (not: QijthGEGthfir. mountsaraalsairreeulan Imorder. to}; simplifwmechani'sm hereinafter describedior registering: when. one. or more. uns of; a. mount.

enters. the; interference: zone. for that. particular mount; said zones: are; defined; parallels. and meridians which: inclndesa-idt; actual zones; li'or 8X2tmD1E",;th.8;Z finB; 5210f actual interference of mount: II- is bounded bar the: 22 d; and; the; 1'.5.th parallels, indicatedib eierence numerals-15! and respectively, and the-114th; andzzfifith meridians, indicated; by reference numerals; 48; and 5.9,. respectively,, thus: forming; a; combinedz. zone comprising. the. shaded: zonetz and added. zone 54;. which. tosethen term: zone-1 A...

It;will:benotedthat;themeridianand.parallel; indicatedbv: reference; numerals 59:... 53s.. restless tiveiy, are spaced slightly fmmzthe.actnak inter iezzencea. zone: to. allow i'httlei: margin. for safety in; entering the; zone; It will be; apparent that such: practice; results enlarging the-zones of interference; but; the; advantages gained,-

sime pliiying the. interference control mechanism. by causing said? ZOHESitQ be-bounded by meridians and: parallels: justifies: such practice.v Although. the actual zones of? interference:- ofi mounts liVT, VIII. and X alternot showmit Will'he understood that theactual zones'of interference of? these turrets. are; first determined andarethen bounded by parallels and meridians ihe; process being. the 8251113528; that, described-zinconnection: withmount II.

In hereinafter referri-n g ;sp.ecifically;to the-zones oi possible interferenceformounts. II- and: IV and. genericallyto; zones I of possible." interference for mounts VI, VIII; andXiitwill, be'convenient for purposes of illustration. for said'izonesztoz be mnjected on flat surfaces; Acccrdi'nglm. said zones of interference for. the. variousmounts, which zones are included between parallels: and meridians, are shown in the form of the abovementioned azimuthequid-istant projections A; B and C centered at the northpolesof spheres; as shown Fig. 3: As above stated; interference between the guns 32' of mounts II and IV only will be discussed in detail, it being' understood that a; like condition of possible interference exists between the guns of other pairs of adjacent mounts.

It will be appreciated thatthe; centraliamis 42 (Fig, 1) between. the. guns 32. of. each. of the mounts, moves in, elevation degreeby deereeabout theccmmonax-is 5.8. of the trunnions. (notshown). of. said guns,., together, with the. axes. 3.8. ofitne. bones. of. the barrels. 3.6 of. the. guns. and accord.-

ingly, when. the. central axis. 4A of. each. of; the

mounts. is. moved downward. in negative. eleva; tion,, for example; across. the. 22d.:and. 62d; pare allele and: into. the; interference; zones, A and B; respectively, of-thernou-ntsll and:v theraxes tact theguns 3243f that. particular mountcare depressed across said; parallels. Itywil-l. bew un: derstood', however, that when: the: central. axis 42 of. any one ofthes-mounts moves across a meridian. of the indicated zone for; that; particular mount, one of the barrels or tubes 39 of: the; guns 3-2, which are laterally onset from; the; central axis, will have. crossed that; particular meridian of the illustrative zone; but. said, barrel: does; not enter its zone of. interference with. the: guns: of the. adjacent. mount until. the; associatedacentral axis-42 crosses said meridian... In describing: the invention, however; we shall, consider: one; of the guns: 32 of: the: mount 112... ion erauncle; as.

entering'the zone A across the 266th meridian, indicated by reference numeral 59, at the same time that the central axis 42 between the guns crosses said meridian. The position in azimuth and elevation of the central axis 42 of each of the mounts II and IV may be conveniently shown by a black dot, a course of said axis being indicated by a dotted line terminating at said dot. In view of the fact that one or more of the guns of each mount may be said to enter the zone of interference for such mount at the same time that the associated axis 42 of the mount enters its zone, the dots, for purposes of illustration, may'represent the movement of said guns, which will be referred to as entering said zones A and B, establishing priority in one of said zones and emerging from said zones, as will be explained later in detail.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the central axis 42 of mount II has been so moved in azimuth and elevation that it extends into zone A, corresponding to the combined zones 52 and 54 (Fig. 2) bounded by the 174th and the 266th meridians and by the -15th and the 22d parallels, one or more of the guns 32 of mount II, represented by a dot 6!! (Figs. 3, 11 to 1'7), is in zone A. It will also be apparent that when the central axis 42 of mount II has been so moved in azimuth and elevation that it extends through the fore interference zone'B of mount IV bounded approximately by the 11th and 339th meridians and the 13th and 62d parallels, there is a possibility of one of the guns of mount IV, represented by dot 62, interfering with one or more of the guns of mount II, providing that one or more of the guns of mount II are still in zone A for that mount. Since we are considering only the interference between the guns of mounts II and IV, the left interference zone B of mount IV need not be discussed in detail herein.

By providing a cam-operated switch 64 (Figs. 5, 6, 11 to 17) it is possible to register, or indicate, when the central axis 42 of mount II swings aft in azimuth (counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3) across the 266th meridian and by providing a cam-operated switch 66 (Figs. '7, 8, 11 to 17) to register when said central axis 42 is swung downward, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, in nega tive elevation (outward as viewed in Fig. 3) across the 22d parallel. As above stated, movement of the guns 32 of mounts II and IV as well as of the guns 32 of the other mounts in negative elevation is stopped by the regular limit stop mechanism of the mount when the central axis 42, andaccordingly the axes 38 of the bores of the barrels of the guns, has been depressed in elevation to 15. It will thus be apparent that there cannot be any entry of the guns of mount II into the interference zone A for that mount from below (Fig. 1) or across the outside rim (Fig. 3). Moreover, since the interference zone for mount II extends rearward to the 174th meridian, represented by reference numeral 48 (Fig. 2) at which counterclockwise movement in azimuth of the central axis 42 of that mount ceases, there can be no entry of the guns of mount II into its interference zone A across such meridian. It will thus be clear that the cam-operated switches 64, 66 are the only switches necessary to register movement of the guns of mount II into the interference zone for that mount and that when such switches have registered the above-mentioned movement of the central axis 42 across the -266th meridian and across the 22d parallel, one

or more guns of 'mount II are about to enter or are in said interference zone.

In a similar manner, by providing a single camoperated switch 68 (Figs. 11 to 17) it is possible to register entry of the central axis 42 of mount IV clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 across the 339th meridian defining the outboard end of the fore interference zone B, and since such zone extends inboard to the limit of clockwise movementof the mount in azimuth, that is, to the 11th meridian, there is no counterclockwise entry of said central axis 42 and accordingly the guns of the mount across said 11th meridian. In order to register movement of the central axis 42 of mount IV in negative and positive elevation across the 62d and the 13th parallels, respectively, two cam-operated switches 10,12 are provided. It will be understood that since the mount IV has an aft interference zone B (Fig. 3) there is provided a cam-operated switch 14 registering counterclockwise movement, as viewed in Fig. 3, of the central axis 42 and accordingly one or more of the guns 32 of that mount across the 201st meridian.

Assuming that the central axis 42 and accordingly one or more of the guns 32 of the mount IV, represented by dot 62 (Fig. 3), are moved in the right interference zone B in negative elevation across the 62d parallel in the path shown by dotted lines, the cam-operated switch 10, hereinafter described in detail, registering such movement, is closed. Should the central axis 42, and accordingly one or more of the guns 32, represented by dot 62, then move clockwise in said dotted path across the 339th meridian, one or more of the guns 32 of the mount will have moved into said zone, such movement being registered by the closing of the cam-operated switch 68. Assuming that neither of the guns 32 of mount II is in the interference zone A, one or more of the guns of mount IV are thus first in the common zone of interference between mounts II and IV and therefore mount IV has priority over mount II, the guns 32 of mount IV being permitted to move uninterruptedly in said zone.

The general scheme for preventing interference between the guns 32 of the adjacent mounts II and IV as well as between the other pairs of adjacent mounts is first, as above explained, to olfer no restraint to the guns of the mount first to enter the zone of possible interference, which mount may be said to have priority, and second, to stop the guns of the adjacent mount just before they reach the outer boundary of the interference zone for that mount, said guns being caused to remain inactive at said boundary until such time as the guns of the mount having priority emerge from said zone. As will appear later, the guns 32 of the mount at the boundary of the interference zone for such mount may, even though one or more of the guns of the other mount are in said zone, enter the zone under the control of the captain of such mount. Upon such entry, however, there is a possibility of collision between the guns of the adjacent mounts, and accordingly means hereinafter described is provided to warn both captains of the mounts of this possibility.

The stopping of the guns 32 of the second mount about to enter its interference zone is ac-- complished by simultaneously opening 440-volt circuits 84, 84a (Figs. 4, 11 to 17) of azimuth and elevation power failure solenoids 80, 82, or a, 82a, of that mount in the same manner that such circuits are opened simultaneously by switches 83., :83a which are now utilized by the crews -or captains of the mounts to stop at any time the movement of theiguns.

The circuits :84, 84a of the power failure solenoids :80, 82 andfill'd, 82a, respectively, are normally coupled for opening between the contacts of electromagnetic switches 86, 80a (Figs. -11 to 17 the coils -88, 881; of which :are -energized by a illo-volt-rcircuit at such time as orient the 32 20f the mount involved'is second of -a vpair of guns-of adjacent mounts to attempt to enter the zone of possible interference between said adjacent mounts. The effect of such energ-ization of one of the'c'oils :88, 8 8ais to open corresponding .pairs of contacts #89, 89a of the switch 86, 80a, thus breaking the corresponding normal currents 84, 04a of the power failure solenoids, with the result that a power failure valve 90 (Fig. *4) is actuated. .Such :action causes the valve-90 to be operated by the actionof aspring 92, permitting oil to flow from .a high-pressure system 94 to an exhaust or low-pressure system BB-aand accordingly icausing by means not shown the approximate equalizing of pressure on an actuating piston 9-1, and the centralizing of 5a tilting :box 08 together with a :shaft 029 :secured to:sai'd box, by released spring-actuated plungers I which are moved predetermined distances against :stdps (not shown) by their springs. the plungers being normally "held in retracted positions in cylind'ers M12 by foil in the high-pressure system 94. As-willbahereinaiter explained, each of the tilting box sha-fts SB is mounted for rotation aboutiits axisin a fixed housing and is operatively connected to azimuth and elevation limit stop mechanisms, theconstruction and arrangement being :such that the tilting box is automatically moved to .its centralized position to limit movement of the :mounts in azimuth or to limit movement of the guns inelevation in the mounts.

.-;Power :for driving each of the mounts in azimuth together with its guns 32 and tor driving the guns in elevation upon their associated mounts is supplied from a continuously rot-ating electric motor-m4 operatively connected through suitable reductionz'gea-rs 1:06 to-a drive shaft I08 secured to a cylindrical barrel IN). The tilting box 98 is provided with a cylindrical recess :2 constructedand arranged to receive a ring II- l which is universally connected to the drive shaft 403 and is operatively "connected by a plurality of connectin -rods H'E toipistons H8 'sltdable in cylinders I20 of the barrel. Asthe barrel H0 is rotated the lower ends of the-cylinders +20 slide overarcuate-recesses I 22 of a block I20 opening into oil passages I20 which communicate with "a fluid pressure motor 128 operatively connected through suitable gear connections 1:30 to a ring gear (not. shown) of .acorresp'onding mount, :-'for rotating the mount, together with its Egh-IIIS, in azimuth, 'or to a gearisegment (not shown) "so-- cured'to guns of the mount and serving t .actu ate the guns in elevation in said mount. The above flfiVe-iSW-ll known 17116211 1; and is commonly referredlto as a Waterbury variable-speed drive andis disclosed, for example, in- NaVaI'OIdnance Textbook published 1939 by the United States Naval Instituta Anna'polis, Md.

When the tilting box 198 moved from :its' central or neutral full-line position to its'dash-line position shown in Fig. 4, oil is pumped through the :passages 126 directions indicated by arrowacausing rotation of thefluid pressure motor Ir28.m;.direction I:3-2-. When'the tilting box 98 is moved in .an oppositedirection-from itsneutralposition, it will be apparent that oil will be pumped-intern :opposite directionrthrough-theipassages I25 and accordingly the fluid pressure motor 128 will-rotate in an opposite direction, thus rotating the mountin-azimuth together with its guns in an opposite idirection, -.or the .guns in the mount in anoppos'ite direction. It will be apparent that-thegreater the tilting of the box 98irom-itsscentratized full-dine position,

the greater wilLbe-the-fiow o f'oil throughrand the pressure in the passages 1.26 and accordingly the rotativespeed otthe fluidipressuremotor 'I 28 and the rotative speed of the mountsortheguns upon their trunnions thamounts. 'Iheactuating pistons which are operatively connected to the various tilting boxesigaand the positions of which determine the speed "in azimuth 'o'f'ffthe mounts and the speed in elevation o'fvthesgunsfin the mounts, are controlled through suitable-by draulic =means, are operated 'by directors-. 10- cated some distance-drum theimoun'ts or bytracb ers in said mounts i t being understood that when the high-pressure oilisvdumped out o'fltlhesysterns, as above explained,.thepistons are rendered inoperative and .are-lmoved to neutral positions under the action of the spring.-..pressed .plungers I00.

Mechanism ior i linii'ting' rotation of the various mounts in azimuth in oppositerdirectionsiandfor limiting swinging movement elevation of the gunsin theirassociated mountain-opposite directions is utilized the here'in illustrated construction for the purpose of-stopping the guns of the mounts whenever iteisdesirable tokeepithe guns of one of the mounts out of the interiference zone for that particularmountor whenever it is--desirable to .stop the ,guns of eitherof the mounts to .prevent collision lbetweenguns of --adjacent mounts when the-guns :o'f both mountsare operating in-saidinterferencezone.

Because of the variable inertia of the mounts and theguns in azimuth and the variable-inertia of theg-uns inelevation, the-stoppingofthe guns of the second mount about to-yentera common interference zone has its beginning whenwsaid guns are a considerable distance outside .said zone, said distance increasing as the :rotative speed of the mount inazimuth and the rotative speed of the guns upon their. mounts increases.

Movable in timed relation with and in response to movement-ofeach mount-:andseach pair ct -guns on the mount are shafts I34 (Figs. er and 17:) respectively, each havingssecu-red to it .-a;gea1 1 3 6 meshing with agear IiiB-splined to oneend'pf a shaft I40 having "at its opposite end helical threads I 42 mes-hing with internal threads sof a two-piece sleeve Mil iormi-ng'ineeffectipart of a gear i416, :sa-idrgears I38, i l-16 being rotatably mounted, in bearingsdnxa housing 1'48. The gear iis'iis zoperatively connectedthrough amidler gear r50 to a gear 152 secured toza rilimit stop screw 1- 53 (Fig. 5)., 154 (Fig. I?) which is irotatably mounted bear-urge. the -housing; I i-'8 and lias secured to it collars I 56, 1, 58 sprovi'ded fwith'iiproe jeetions H30, H52, respectively Threaded nt'o each of the limit stop :screWs tfi3yfi'disza nut iP-BA upper and lower ends of whichj fit inlguidewas s I 88 of the housing I 48,-opposite sides of the nut IE4 being provided withprojections1158, "constructed and arranged to-iengage theyproiectidns I00, Hi2, respectively,,-of'theeollars I56, 1:58 when the nut has been-"Sud.FDIGdBtBTIHiIIQddiSbZRGSjII opposite directions upon the screw 4 53 or slid, said distances representing limits ,ofifmovement 11 in azimuth of one of the mounts or limits in elevation of the guns 32 on such mount.

Fixed to the tilting box shaft 99 (Figs. 4 and 7) is a bifurcated shift lever I12 having alined bores I14 (Fig. '7) for receiving trunnions I'IG of an annular ring I18 fitting in an annular slot I80 in the outer race housing I82 of a bearing I84 rotatably mounted upon the central part of the shaft I40. When the hydraulically actuated piston 91 (Fig. 4) is slid from its centralized position, the tilting box 98 is swung from its central or neutral full-line position shown in Fig. 4, and the shift lever II2 (Fig. 7) is moved one way or the other from its neutral position in which its central axis I86 is disposed at right angles to the axis of the shaft I40, causing said shaft to move lengthwise. Lengthwise movement of the shaft I40 will cause the helical thread I42 on the shaft to rotate the gear I46 and accordingly to advance the nut I64 one way or the other with relation to the shaft I40 in accordance with the direction of lengthwise movement of the shaft I40. The speed and direction of movement of the mount or of the guns on the mount depends upon the amount and the direction of tilting of the tilting box 98. Accordingly, the amount'and the direction of displacement of the shift lever I12 from said neutral position and the amount and the-direction of lead of the limit stop screw I53 or I54 and accordingly the nut I164 over the shaft I40 will vary in accordance with variations in the speed and the direction of movement of the mount or of the guns on the mount. The greater the tilting of the box 98 and accordingly the speed of the mount or of the guns on the mount, the greater will be the lengthwise displacement of the shaft from its neutral position and accordingly the greater will be the distance of the guns from their zones of interference for that particular mount when the hydraulic drive begins to stop, said hydraulic drive being used as a cushion to absorb the inertia of the moving parts to be stopped. The above-disclosed mechanism forms part of regular equipment long in use for controlling the mounts and will not be further described herein. r I

When the projections I68, I of the nut I64 hit the projections I60, I62, respectively, on the collars I53, I58, movement 7 of the limit stop screws 7 I53, I54 will cease, but the continued rotation of the mounts or of the guns on the mounts will cause the shaft I40 to rotate to such a position as to move the shaft lengthwise back to its neutral position under the rotative action of the helical threads with relation to the then fixed gear I46, causing, through the bifurcated shift lever I12, the associated tilting box 98 to move back to its central or neutral position and accordingly movement of the mounts or of the guns on the mounts to stop, the oil in the variable-speed drive acting as a cushioning brake. In order to actuate the cam-operated switches 84, 66, the azimuth and elevation limit stop screws I53, I54 are operatively connected to azimuth and elevation cam actuating shafts I88 (Figs. 5, 6 and 9), I90 (Figs. '7 and 8), respectively, rotatably mounted in bearings I92, I94 in housings I96 (Fig. 5) I98 (Fig. '7) which are secured to the housing I48 for the azimuth and elevation limit stop screw mechanism.

Mechanism for moving the azimuth cam actuating shaft I88 in timed relation with the azimuth stop screw I53 comprises a dog 204 (Fig. 5) formed integral with a bevel gear 208 and fitting in one of a plurality of radial slots of a nut 206 secured to the azimuth limit screw I53, the gear being rotatably mounted upon a bearing 2I0 secured to a part of the housing I96. The bevel gear 208 meshes with a bevel gear 2I2 at the lower end of a vertical shaft 2 I4 rotatably mounted in the housing I96 and having at its upper end a worm 2 I 6 meshing with a worm gear 2I8 fixed to the right end of the cam actuating shaft I88. The construction and arrangementof the above drive is suchthat the cam actuating shaft I88 is rotated degree by degree with the mount in azimuth.

The mechanism for operatively connecting the. elevation cam actuating shaft I90 with the elevation limit stop screw I54 is similar to corresponding mechanism above described in connec-' tion with the azimuth drive and comprises a bevel gear 220 coupled by one or more keys 222 to the elevation limit stop screw I54, and a bevel gear 224 which meshes with the bevel gear 220 and is secured to a rotatable shaft 226 havin secured to it a worm 228 meshing with a worm gear 230 secured to one end of the cam actuating shaft I90. The construction and arrangement of the above drive is such that the elevationcam actuating shaft I90 is rotated three degrees for every degree of rotation of the guns upon their trunnions in the mounts.

Secured to the left end (Fig. 5) of the azimuth cam actuating shaft I88 (Figs. 5, 6 and 9)' for mount II is an enlarged cylinder 232 over which fits a sleeve 234. The sleeve 234 and the cylinder 232 are each provided with four axially spaced rows of circumferentially arranged holes 236, 238, respectively, the holes of one row being circumferentially offset from the holes of the other row. The holes 236 of the cylinder are threaded, the construction and arrangement being such that the sleeve 234 for purposes of timing the cam may be secured in degree increments to the cylinder by a screw 240. Fitting upon a step portion of the cam actuating shaft I88 and having its right end (Fig. 5) in engagement with a hub portion 243 (Fig. 9) of the bearing I92 is a cam sleeve 242 provided with two cams 244, 246. EX- tending from the sleeve 234 is a lug 248 (Fig. 9) constructed and arranged to fit in a channel 250 of the cam sleeve 242, the arrangement being such that the cams 244, 246 are rotatable together with the adjustment sleeve 234 and the cam actuating shaft I88 after said cams have been properly' timed with the limit stop screw I53 by adjusting said sleeve upon and securing it to the cylinder 232 of said shaft.

Secured by screws 252 (Fig. 6) to the bearing I92 is the azimuth switch 64 and a switch 254 (Figs. 5, 6, 9, 11 to 1'7) which is arranged in a red light circuit 256, hereinafter referred to,and which is closed together with the switch 64 upon upward movement of alined plungers 258 (Figs. 5, 6 and 9). Interposed between the cam 244 and the upper plunger 258 is a leaf spring 260 (Figs. 6 and 9) attached by a screw 262 to the bearing I92. The timing between the cam 244 and mount H is such that as the central axis 42 of that mount moves counterclockwise across the 266th meridian (Figs. 2 and 3) the leaf spring 260 has been permitted to move down a shoulder 264 (Fig. 6) of the cam 244 onto a' low portion of the cam with the result that the plungers 258 are raised by the action of springs (not shown) to close the switches 64, 254.

It will be understood that the cam 244 is the only azimuth registering cam utilized in connection with mount II since the 266th meridian 

